Tasty trips round the world. Why Frenchmen – the most healthy nation?

Frenchmen, unlike inhabitants of other countries of Europe, possess the highest life expectancy. Statistically, in France only 8 % of people have obesity. The reasons are covered in social traditions. After all the culture of a food is an important key to understanding of the general culture of the people.

Walking on paved streets of the provincial small town, examining visitors of the cafes sitting directly on the street at little tables, you do not cease to be surprised, how there are a lot of beautiful well-groomed elderly people on the promised French land. And what they harmonous, with healthy complexion though some also smoke. How many in them a pacification and clemencies. As they lovely talk with each other, in gestures there is sharpness, no irritation. The idyllic atmosphere before appearing before paradise gate.

Researchers still try to open «the French paradox» – low indicators of cardiovascular diseases. Even in spite of the fact that the food of Frenchmen is very saturated fats. And still Frenchmen, unlike inhabitants of other countries of Europe, possess the highest life expectancy. It speaks consumption of red wine, dairy products and the French style of a food.

Statistically, in France only 8 % of people have obesity. While in America this indicator exceeds 30 %, in New Zealand – 21 %. The reasons are covered in social traditions. After all the culture of a food is an important key to understanding of the general culture of the people.

Nara Reynbou, personal archive

Nara Reynbou, personal archive

Nara Reynbou, personal archive

Nara Reynbou, personal archive

Nara Reynbou, personal archive

Nara Reynbou, personal archive

Nara Reynbou, personal photo

Nara Reynbou, personal archive

Nara Reynbou, personal archive

Nara Reynbou, personal archive

Frenchmen are exacting. They will prefer a small slice of good expensive cheese huge and mediocre quality. Women carefully examine each berry, fruit or vegetable. Even if they are going to buy pair of eggplants, they want, that it was the best.

They eat a little, but is frequent. A four-single food – an indisputable rule for each Frenchman. Portions usually small, and surely on a table there should be a bread which takes the central place in the French menu. Every day during time before dinner flows of people go to boulangerie (боланжери – a bakery) behind baguettes.

Cheese – the main food of Frenchmen. To 25 kg of cheese on the person does them by the largest consumers of cheese in the world. Besides, they make more than 300 types of cheeses! During family dinners cheese usually moves as an independent dish after the main food intake, but before a dessert. On a wide plate slices of three or four types of cheeses from which guests can choose a slice according to their preferences are cut.

In France all dinners and dinners are accompanied by red wine. And you know, in what a difference between Frenchmen and other people? They actually drink much less, than a majority of mankind. A wine glass during all food – usual norm for Frenchmen.

Frenchmen treat with a big piety the guests and are attentive not only to details in cooking. As well as in former times, the most part of communication and with friends passes in a family behind long dinners. The meeting of guests at them is caused by norms of etiquette. If you invited to a dinner, it is necessary to bring with itself a small bunch of flowers or chocolate, but at all foreign wine. Never drink the drink brought with and do not start to eat, while the owner will not tell «Bon appetit» or «Je vous en prie!» (be my guest!). Otherwise you will count as the savage and will not submit a hand, and women – will not kiss.

In France it is accepted to shake to men hands at a meeting and farewell, and familiar women kiss on a cheek. Women at a meeting kiss each other. Small children almost always receive a kiss. In general, all these rituals very much pull together people, and women to extreme old age will feel the appeal. Still I remember, how my English friend after the first visit of France told: «It seems to me, my feminity returned. Attention of the French men – the best medicine for an old age!»

In Paris social customs are more strict, than in the south of France. In the small cities human relations are less formal. But to you will always address on "you", showing respect and respect. It is necessary not to forget that representatives of the power it is necessary to call "madam" or "monsieur", but by no means "mademoiselle" even if the girl is very young.

In France all shops and offices are closed during lunch time for a couple of hours. It is quite enough this time to go and eat a good dinner in cafe or restaurant. It not for them the sandwiches eaten, having stooped over a table at office. Even children regularly eat, because the break allows parents to take away them home for a dinner. They have not a snack, as is done it we. Never saw the Frenchmen buying coffee or drinks on carrying out. If they want to have a bite, they stop. So this conscious, instead of thoughtless eating.

Only on hundreds kilometers it is possible to find McDonald’s in the province. And in Paris of fast food it is a little, and that is rather for visitors. Frenchmen will not eat hamburgers, chips or the overroasted chicken. Will prefer a sandwich with ham or a small piece of a baguette. To them never will come to mind thoughtlessly to add in one plate bread, meat, cheese, potatoes, macaroni, vegetables and sauces as it do in some countries.

Frenchmen are disciplined. They care of themselves to look well. Style and appearance for them are really important. They – not great admirers of gyms, but driving on a bicycle or work in a garden – an integral part of active life.

Frenchmen have a taste to customs and traditions, but, at the same time, they are the progressive thinkers, going in vanguard of style. In 1652 the first French cookbook – «Le Cuisine Francois» (Francois Kitchen), written by known French chef Lya Varenn was published. In it it showed, how French cuisine became an important part of culinary creativity in Europe, and then around the world.

In 2010, after two years of lobbying from president Nicolas Sarkozy and group of the French cooks, scientists and politicians, French cuisine was entered in the list the World heritage of UNESCO. «Gastronomic food of Frenchmen», defined as «a festive meal, which unites people to take pleasure in art of good food and drink», took the place of honor along with other art forms and traditions.

French cuisine allows beautifully, without haste to connect various, nutritious products. It possesses therapeutic qualities and is capable to cure. Preparation and pleasure by food is the art, demanding to stop time and to estimate this magnificence. Investigate culture of French cuisine: history, customs, way of life…